"Always Remember" Author: Hugo "Animal" Chikamori E-mail: hchikamori@yahoo.com Rating: PG-13 Classification: Webb/Other R; Harm/Mac R; Animal/Meg R Spoilers: None, except whatever comes out of Animal's demented mind... Summary: A relaxed visit to Washington DC by our favorite characters and a few others. Author's note: Sorry if some factual details are missed out or omitted. I rarely have a tendency to get out of Vancouver, BC let alone CANADA. Thanks go to Kathleen Klatte for all her informative postcards that she sends me. I love them all, Kath. Disclaimers: The characters Harm Rabb, Jr., AJ Chegwidden, et al. belong in concept if not name) to CBS/Bellisarius. No profit is being made from this story, nor is any infringement intended. ********************************************************************** ****** A HOTEL IN OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA, VA 1330 ZULU "Hey, wake up...sleepyhead." Meg's voice chided the somnolent log sleeping in the bed beside her. "Huh...whutimeisit?" was the groan from the log on the bed. Meg laughed. Her husband always took at least a good half-hour to get himself conscious. Commander Hugo "Animal" Chikamori groaned as he leaned himself up on one elbow and looked at the clock. 8:30 AM. He let loose a startled yelp as it hit him. He had actually slept in. "Sweetheart, why didn't you wake me up?" Animal asked. "Well, after all, you are on holiday." Meg said casually tossing back a lock of hair that had strayed out of place."Besides you look so cute when you're asleep. I didn't want to wake you up and spoil the picture." "You took a picture of me sleeping." Animal blinked. The last vestiges of sleep escaped. He raised an eyebrow and looked so disbelieving- ly at Meg that she burst out laughing. "Well, you're lucky you didn't break the camera." He muttered. Meg continued to chuckle as she protested,"But hon, you're so handsome, You don't break any cameras." {AN: excuse me...just massaging my arm-chair fighterjock's ego. It's as big as Harm's if not bigger.} "Yeah, only mirrors." Animal's voice replied sardonically from the bathroom. HARM AND MAC'S HOTEL ROOM SAME BUILDING, SAME PLACE ROUGHLY ABOUT THE SAME TIME ZULU. "Do you figure Animal and Meg are up yet?" asked USMC Major Sarah "Mac" Mackenzie who looked over at her husband, Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. as she gazed at her watch. They had been up since 1100 hrs. The ingrained military wake-up time seemed to over-ride all natural desire to sleep in. Evidently it wasn't so for Animal, who had just returned from a grueling 8 month deployment with his carrier fighter squadron. They had just the day before piled into Animal's nice sedan, with a bunch of luggage and set out on this road-trip. Harm had grinned as he had looked over at the bumper of Animal's lovely BMW 328i which was one of Meg's family's wed- ding gifts to the two of them. There was a nice blue & gold bumper sticker which read "FLY NAVY" with a pair of gold wings on them. Mac had snorted upon seeing that although her own husband had a set of wings on his own uniform. "I figure pretty soon." Harm replied. "He's just probably catching up on sleep that he didn't get during deployment." "Probably..." Mac agreed. Their musing was interrupted by a thunder- ous knock on the door. "Hey RABB!!" "What do you want..." Harm and Mac looked at each other. "It's Clay, open up."...a pause and then "Are you decent, Mac?" "NO!!!" Mac replied,"I'm completely buck naked in here, what do you want? Webb!!!" she grinned an evil grin at Harm."Of course, I'm dressed." The door opened and Webb walked in. "But..." Harm looked over at Mac. Clay raised his right hand. "Should've known..." Harm grumbled. In it was a lock pick. "Well...Rabb, you took your sweet time in getting to the door and I was getting tired of looking at the ugly wall- paper in the hallway..." "My goodness, Clay..." Mac mock-batted her eyelashes."I've never seen you in a golf-shirt and jeans. My, you look sexy." "Thanks..." muttered Clay. "I'll be sure to tell my wife that. She's still asleep." "So, what brings you to Washington, Webb?" asked Harm who didn't really look all too happy about Clayton Webb, the resourceful Special Asst. to the Undersecretary of State being there at the same hotel as Harm and his family and friends. "Well, we, that is Sandy and I, are planning on taking a walk around Washington, see the monuments, see the sights...I figured that you might be interested in popping by the sights with us." Webb said. "Well...gee, thanks..." Harm replied."No missions or covert ops?" "Nope, you doornail..." Webb said peevishly,"I'm on holiday too." Animal walked in the open door of the hotel room along with Meg who was wearing a pair of light jeans and a figure hugging shirt with open collar. Animal himself was wearing a pair of jeans and a Navy Aviator polo shirt. His left hand ring-finger had his Navy Aviator's ring. The thickset ring with a gold wings engraving inset on a blue stone. Harm wore his Academy ring. "Morning, Harm..." Animal grinned then frowned as his eyes met Clay, "So, what's the spook doing here?" "Gee, thanks Animal...nice to see you too" Webb said dryly."I just happened to be on holiday and asked Harm and Mac if they wanted to come see the sights." "Oh..." Animal said, his tone apparent disbelief. "Oh, really?" "Of course he's on holidays..." a new voice added. They turned around. Sandy was standing by the doorway. Lieutenant Sandra Martinez worked for the NIS (Naval Intelligence Service??) as did Meg. "What did you think he would be, Animal." "Spooks are never on holidays." Animal replied. "Well, this one is." Clay retorted."Now let's get going and go see some things around DC." "Yeah...ok..." Animal muttered. The six friends walked out to Animal's vehicle. Clay looked at Animal's car,"You got a Beemer?" "Yeah...so?" Animal said. "It was Meg's mother's gift..." "That isn't going to be able to take all of us..." Clay said, indicat- ing Animal's car, then pointing to his car, a Buick LeSabre. "We can use my car." "Is that a government car?" Harm asked pointedly. "No, it's my own car." Clay replied. "Good, at least we won't run the risk of getting blown to several million pieces." Animal replied morbidly. Meg rolled her eyes. "Do you mind? Honey? I'm trying to enjoy my vacation. Do you have to ruin it?" she asked pointedly. "Well, he showed up in the first place..." Animal muttered gesturing a thumb at Clay. Harm snickered as Mac elbowed him. "Very funny, Animal..." Clay shot a comeback at him."Geez, I try to be nice and look at what it gets me. He looked over at Sandy. "Spies aren't nice types...that's what's so confusing..." Harm ripost- ed as he shot another look at Clay who shrugged his shoulders. "Did you get hit in the head again?" Mac sighed and said plaintively,"Are we going to go see the sights or are we just going to sit around and throw cheap insults at Clay?" Harm and Animal looked over at Mac and replied as one. "Although it's tempting, we figure that it's a slightly better idea to go see the sights." VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY, ARLINGTON, VA 1630 ZULU Harm and Mac strolled down hand in hand along the Wall looking for Harm's father's name. Animal and Meg were further along the Wall, looking for Japanese-American names listed on the Wall when they nearly ran into a young attractive brunette-haired woman in a Marine Corps officer's uniform, with silver oak leaves on her shoulders. She had to be just about as young as Animal. "I'm sorry, ma'am..." Meg said as she stepped around the lady officer. "That's quite alright." the officer said. She had been etching a name onto a sheet of paper. Animal gazed at the name. A young man who had lost his life in the service of his country. The Marine officer looked up at the tall young couple, one Asian, and one Caucasian. She noticed Animal's eyes flicker to the paper, she asked."Are you searching for a name too?" "Well, actually, Lieutenant Colonel." Animal replied,"I'm just looking for Japanese-American Marines, sailors, airmen, and soldiers who died in Viet Nam." "You seem to be familiar with the military." she said, in a rich Southern accent which was very pleasing to the ears. "I am..." Animal replied. "Serving current, past or afficionado." the Lieutenant Colonel smiled gazing calmly into his eyes. "Serving currently." "Which service if I may ask." she asked. "United States Navy." Animal replied. "Oh..." she said. "I'm Liza Austen." "Hugo Chikamori, callsign's Animal" "Callsign?" "I'm a fighter pilot." Animal grinned."This is my wife, Meg...She's a Lieutenant, Navy, working in NIS." "Oh...I'm pleased to meet you." the quiet strength was evident from Liza's voice. "Your rank?" she queried with a grin that was infectious. Animal grinned back,"I'm a Commander. I command the VF-41 Black Aces." He could see that she was pretty much finished with the etching. She looked at her watch. "Oh, I have to be back at my office in about 1/2 an hour. It was very nice to make your acquaintance. Commander, Lieutenant." She smiled another glorious smile, picking up her briefcase, she headed off. Meg and Animal watched her depart, a curvaceous figure in Marine Green. "Now, whoever marries her is a lucky man." Animal said as he looked at Meg who gave him a bemused stare in return. She had noticed Animal's interest in the young Lieutenant Colonel. And her eyebrow arched. "Oh?" she said shortly,"And why is that?" she gave him a coquettish look."You seemed to be able to size her up pretty quickly." "Doesn't she remind you of someone?" Animal asked. "Hmmm, yeah...a little..." Meg replied. "I look at her, I think of Mac." Animal said reflectively,"Strong and committed, faithful, and dedicated." "Actually, you thought she was a very good looking woman, right?" Meg teased. "I teased Harm about this once too." she pondered. "I'm going to get slapped for this, aren't I?" Animal asked. "I'll think about it." was the answer, "Dear..." was the ominous sound- ing emphasis. THE MALL WASHINGTON DC 1830 ZULU Looking down The Mall, Animal gazed at the white spire of the Washington Monument at the other end of The Mall. Meg was snapping pictures as she looked down the grassy, tree-lined space. Harm and Mac were arm in arm gazing at the Reflecting Pool across a grassy space from the Capitol. Mac sighed as she gazed at her husband who looked up at the Capitol Building. The Smithsonian Buildings lined either side of The Mall and were bordered by trees. Harm grinned as he looked over at Jefferson Drive and pulled Mac over to a building. Seeing the sign 6th Street, he grinned again at Mac,"Let's go see the Air and Space Museum." Mac grinned back at him,"Alright Flyboy, but I want a burger after this. Animal!!!" she called,"Are you and Meg coming?" Clay and Sandy had gone to the National Museum of American History. Animal grinned and tugged Meg's arm,"Hey...c'mon...sweetheart...let's go." "Flyboys..." was Meg's muttered endearment as she shook her head while being dragged along."They act like little kids set loose in a candy store." "C'mon!!!" WASHINGTON BURGER JOINT WASHINGTON DC 1945 ZULU "So, are we having fun?" Clay asked. "Yeah..." Animal nodded. It looked as if he was reluctant to say so, but actually in all respects, Animal was having a lot of fun, as was Harm. But they would rather be tortured and shot in the knee-caps before admitting it. "But my feet are sore as hell..." Meg replied putting a damper on Animal,"That's because you insisted on walking through the Air and Space Museum fifteen times, especially the Navy Carrier Aviation section." "But...but...Harm wanted to..." Animal tried to explain... "Oh, sure, blame it on Harm..." Meg said insinuating that Animal was one-hundred percent at fault. "We all know that it was you that wanted to see the exhibit." "Awright, Awright..." Animal muttered," Jeeshpers...I'm at fault for everything..." "No..." Meg replied,"You are useful for some things." She grinned at him. Animal grinned back with a libidinous look. "...like taking out the garbage, and cleaning out the attic and the garage and for getting bats out of the washroom." Meg continued deadpan. Animal shot Meg a dirty look. "Thanks a lot, honey." his voice dripped sarcasm."I'll remember that." Meg leaned over and gave him a kiss,"But I love you anyways." Sandy said,"Well, we do have to see the Women In Military Service for America Memorial, still before our vacation is complete." WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE FOR AMERICA MEMORIAL ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY, ARLINGTON, VA 2300 ZULU The sun still rode high over the sky as Animal, Meg, Clay, Sandy, Harm and Mac walked down Memorial Drive towards the white stone monument. The reflective pool bordering the curve of the memorial gleamed in the sun. As the friends entered the monument's building, they saw a monitor showing the dedication back in October of 1997. Softly over the speakers, the song played that was sung by Patti Austin and Kenny Rogers. Animal thought quietly of the young Marine officer that they had met earlier in the day, of his wife Meg and of Mac as the words were sung... "You're my mother, You're my daughter, My sister, my friend." They were all serving quietly, dedicatedly and with pride that they could serve their country. Animal gazed at his wife who was looking at the with an expression that could only be deciphered as self-confidence. Mac had the same expression on her face. This monument honored all of them that served. A lot of the women who served during WWII, Korea and Viet Nam hadn't had as many opportunities as the women who served now. "You made your peace with history, And stand among the brave No more the unsung hero For you our banners wave." Harm glanced at his wife. Sarah, how beautiful she looked as she gazed at the engravings in the stone face of the wall. He remembered how many women that he had served with. Lieutenant Kate Pike, Meg who was with them. He gazed over at Animal's wife and grinned and at the woman that he loved with all his heart, his wife, Sarah...his jarhead. The proud serving Marine, who had captured his heart and soul and had promised to spend the rest of her life with him. He thought to himself that he was a lucky man. Clay looked at his own wife, Sandra...the woman he loved more than life itself, the woman who understood his occupation and thought about how much she had done with herself. Serving the United States Navy and working in the NIS. He knew that he loved her and was grateful for the circum- stances that brought them together. Animal thought of all the women that he had served with, Lieutenant Commander Kimber Benton, Lieutenant jg Carolyn Akizawa, Major Kimberly Oliver, Staff Sergeant Dana Lin. All were strong, dedicated and above all loved their country so much that they would don the uniform and lay down their lives if necessary for the United States of America. Animal felt a surge of pride go through him as well. He could see Harm holding his wife, his jarhead, a loving glance passing between them. He looked towards his own wife. Meg looked back at him as he wrapped his arms around her. That was what they had come down to really see. He cherished his wife, he longed to tell her how proud he was of her but that didn't really need to be said. And neither did Harm have to say it to his Sarah. They all knew how hard their wives had worked to get where they were. So, in the end, all Animal, Harm and Clay said to their wives was "I love you." "How could I ever forget you, You who always came through, For duty, honor, country- I will always remember you..." THE END Dedicated to Liza and Michele "Trouble". You are both loved. Liza, thanks for always being there in spirit if not in person. You brighten my mornings and always keep me laughing. I always look forward to your e-mails and letters. You and Cat occupy a special place in my heart. Michele, you and Harm are always in our thoughts as well as your significant other. Take care...and check six. :) SPECIAL THANKS GO OUT TO: Kath, thank you so much for the WIMSA dedication tape and for all your letters, printed out fan-fics and postcards and your fanfic tape. Believe me the tapes are getting a lot of play. And thanks for always keeping in contact with me. You are my lifeline to shipperdom. :) To Sandy and Sheryl who created the Asylum so this nut could go completely crazy. Sheryl and Sandy keep this shipper supplied with episodes so that he can go completely 100% insane about JAG. You both are absolutely terrific. I never knew friendship could exist on-line until I met shippers. You are all great friends and my life is a lot sweeter because of the fact that I met all of you on-line. AND THIS STORY IS ALSO DEDICATED TO THE FOLLOWING: And finally...to all the serving women in the United States Military. We can't say how much we are grateful for your service to your country. There are no words left in language to describe the enormity of our gratitude. The words of the song describe it best. "Not one to look the other way, You chose to serve with pride, And dared to cross the boundaries, Knowing God was on your side." ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Attachment Converted: "E:\EUDORA\Attach\ATT00256.GIF"